Last



May 8, 1934. J. R. DEXTER ET Al. i

LAST

Filed Nov. 30. 1932 2 Sheecs-Sheefl l fer m an,

INVENTORS ATTOR N EY ORS May 8, 1934. v J. R, DEXTER ET AL LAST Filed Nov. 30,' 1952 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 pmdfzlNVENT Patented May 8, 1934 UNITED STATES LAST John R. Dexter and Melville C. Chapman,

Framingham, Mass.

Application November 30, 1932, Serial No. 645,062

3 Claims.

This invention relates to shoe lasts and has for the primary object, the provision of a device of the above stated character which will be exceedingly strong and durable and provided with means to facilitate the application and removal of a shoe therefrom without danger of injuring or mutilating the shoe.

With these and other objects in view this invention consists in certain novel features of conl() struction, combination and arrangement of parts to be hereinafter fully described and claimed.

For a complete understanding of our invention, reference is to be had to the following description and accompanying drawings, in which Figure 1 is a vertical sectional View illustrating a shoe last constructed in accordance with our invention.

Figure 2 is a top plan View illustrating the same.

Figtu'e 3 is a bottom plan View illustrating the device.

Figure 4 is a transverse sectional View taken on the line 4-4 of Figure 1.

Figure 5 is a perspective view illustrating a hinge for connecting the sections of the last.

Figure 6 is a side elevation illustrating a holder employed for connecting an insert to the last.

Figure '7 is a top plan view illustrating the holder.

Figure 8 is a plan view illustrating the blank 30A from which the holder is constructed.

Figure 9 is a Vertical sectional view illustrating the holder with an insert therein.

Referring in detail to the drawings, the numeral 1 indicates in its entirety a shoe last consisting 35 of sections 2 and 3 both constructed of hollow formation and made from a suitable metal so as to be durable and light in weight. The section 2 is shaped to form a heel part and the top wall thereof is apertured to receive a socketed element 4 40A which extends into the section in engagement with the bottom Wall and is riveted to the latter by an upset stud 5 forming an integral part of the element 4, the latter with its socket being especially adapted to receive the shank of a stand.

45 The front wall of the heel part 2 is provided with oppositely inclined faces 6 and 7 and the face 6 is apertured to receive a spring seat 8 receiving one end of a coil spring 9, the opposite end of which is received in a spring seat 10 carried by the section 3. The section 3 or fore part is shaped to form a combined instep and toe portion and the rear wall thereof is disposed at an inclination, and with a portion thereof abutting the inclined face '7 of the heel part will maintain the parts in proper Working position, being urged to this position by the action of the spring 9. However, when the rear wall of the fore part is moved towards the inclined face 6 of the heel part, the last is shortened to facilitate or permit the easy and quick application or removal of a shoe therefrom without the danger of stretching or otherwise injuring the shoe.

A hinge 11 is provided for connecting the parts and comprises leaves 12 secured in recesses formed in the faces 6 and 7 of the heel part, the leaves being provided with barrels 13 to receive a pintle 14. A leaf 15 is provided with barrels 16 to receive the pintle 14 and is provided with a substantially cylindrical portion 17 to fit in an opening 18 formed in the fore part, the material of the fore part being enlarged adjacent the rear wall and having a transverse opening 18 formed therein, said opening being in communication with a slot 19 extending through the rear Wall of the fore part. The slot and opening open outwardly through one side of the fore part for the purpose of permitting the leaf 15 to be positioned in the opening and slot so as to aline the heel part and fore part and permit them to have hinging movement relative to each other. A removable pin 20 is carried by the fore part and extends through the slot 19 for retaining the leaf 15 of the hinge therein.

The sole working walls 21 of the last are provided with spaced openings in which are located mountings 22 carrying inserts 23 constructed of any suitable material, preferably either wood, ber or soft metal and are for the purpose of receiving fastening nails employed for securing leather over the last to form a shoe upper prior to having the welt attached.

In practice, the leather is placed about the last and properly shaped thereby to form the upper of a shoe, and to retain the leather on the last nails or similar fasteners are driven through the upper into the inserts so that the Welt may be applied. After the upper has been properly formed the fasteners are removed and by swinging the fore part to the dotted line position, as shown in Figure 1, the formed upper then may be easily and quickly removed without danger of injury.

Each holder is constructed from a blank as shown in Figure 8 having formed upon one edge series of tongues or flaps 24 and the opposite end bent to form a retaining flange 25. The blank is bent into cylindrical formation with the tongues bent towards each other to form a closed end to the holder. The retaining flange 25 when the holder is applied to the last is countersunk thereby effectively retaining the holder in place. The holder may be shaped as shown in Figure 6 or Figure 9.

While We have shown and described the preferred embodiment of our invention, it will be understood that minor changes in construction, combination and arrangement of parts may be made without departing from the spiritand scope of our invention, Vas claimed.

Having described the invention, We claim:

l. A shoe last comprising a heel part and a fore part, said heel part having oppositely inclined faces and the fore part having a single inclined face normally abutting one of the inclined faces of the heel part, a hinge having .series of leaves attached to the respective inclined faces of the heel part and another leaf disposed within and housed by the fore part, and tension means between the parts.

2. A shoe last comprising a heel part and a fore part, said heel part having oppositely inclined faces and the fore part having a single inclined rear face normally abutting one of the inclined faces of the heel part, said fore part being further provided with a slot in its rear face and having an opening in one side communicating with Vthe slot, a .hinge having a series of leaves attached vto the respective inclined faces of the heel part and another leaf engaged through the slot in the fore part and held in the opening therein, and tension means between the parts.

3. An insert for lasts consisting of a holder having an annular flange at one end and having its opposite end closed by tongues converging to and meeting at the center thereof, and a ller of relatively soft material tted in the holder.

JOHN R. DEXTER. MELVILLE C. CHAPMAN. 

